Today, great progress has been made in the field of pharmaceutical and health products, which has led to the evolution of medical tools and technologies to fight all kinds of diseases, including multiple sclerosis, liver disorders, MS, etc. In this regard, drugs play a very vital role and different types of them are used to treat diseases and prevent side effects.
One of the most important and effective drugs in the treatment of many inflammatory diseases and immune system disorders is “interferon beta-1”. In the following, we will review the pharmaceutical forms, uses, precautions and contraindications of interferon beta 1a.
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Pharmaceutical forms of interferon beta 1
Interferon beta 1 dosage forms include pre-filled syringe (Avonex) 30 mcg/0.5 ml, pre-filled auto-injector (Avonex) 30 mcg/0.5 ml, powder for injection (Avonex), pre-titration pack of SC syringes Filled (Rebif) 8.8 micrograms / 0.2 mg (6 syringes) and 22 micrograms / 0.5 ml (6 syringes)
Prefilled SC Syringe (Rebif) 22 mcg/0.5 mL and 44 mcg/0.5 mL, Prefilled SC Auto Injector (Rebif Rebidose) 8.8 mcg/syringe, 22 mcg/syringe and 44 mcg/syringe.
Uses of interferon beta 1 medicine
This drug is used to treat MS. Interferon is not a cure for MS, but it may help slow the progression of the disease and reduce flare-ups (such as balance problems, numbness, or weakness). Some of the most important uses of interferon beta 1 include multiple sclerosis, liver disorders, MS, etc.
Pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of interferon beta 1a drug
recombinant interferon; Antiviral, antiproliferative, immune regulatory protein; It alters the response to surface antigen and may increase the activity of immune cells. The pharmacokinetics of this drug is 12 hours (Avonex) with a duration of 4 days (Avonex). Also, the plasma peak time is 7.8-9.8 hours and clearance is 33-55 liters per hour.
The dosage of interferon beta 1a drug
Before you start using interferon beta 1, read your doctor’s prescription or the drug information on the drug package. For added convenience, remove this medication from the refrigerator and allow it to warm to room temperature about 30 minutes before injection. Do not heat this medication in any other way, such as heating in a microwave or placing in hot water.
Inject interferon beta 1 into the muscle as directed by your doctor, usually once a week. It is also better to use this medicine near bedtime to reduce side effects. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with alcohol.
How to take interferon beta 1 medicine
- This drug is recommended for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (including isolated clinical syndrome, relapsing-remitting disease and active secondary progressive disease) to reduce the accumulation of physical disability and reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations.
- Avonex: 30 mcg of drug may be titrated using the AVOSTARTGRIP titration kit with prefilled IM syringes starting with 7.5 mcg IM in the first week to reduce flu-like symptoms.
- Rabif 44 micrograms target dose: first and second week 8.8 micrograms 3 times a week (at least 48 hours apart), third and fourth weeks 22 micrograms 3 times a week, fifth weeks and later 44 micrograms 3 times a week is recommended.
- The way to consume the above items is through the stomach (except the waist line), thigh, arm, buttock.
- Rabif 22 micrograms target dose: first and second weeks 4.4 micrograms 3 times a week (at least 48 hours apart), third and fourth weeks 11 micrograms 3 times a week, fifth week onwards 22 micrograms 3 times a week by stomach (to except the waist line), thighs, arms, hips are used.
Time to take interferon beta 1
The time of taking this medicine should be determined by examining and ordering the doctor so that we see less side effects in patients. Change the injection site each time to minimize injury, and avoid injecting into red skin, sores, or infected wounds. If you are using a pre-filled syringe, inject this medicine into the thigh or upper arm as directed by your doctor, and if you are using an autoinjector, inject it into the upper outer thigh as directed.
In some patients, to reduce the risk of side effects, the doctor starts the drug with a low dose.
Precautions
Before taking interferon beta 1, if you are allergic to it or other medicinal ingredients, avoid taking the medicine. This medicine has inactive ingredients that will cause allergies and sensitivities after use. Before taking the medicine, inform the doctor of your medical history such as bleeding or blood problems, heart problems, liver disease, mental or mood disorders, seizure disorder, thyroid disease, etc.
Interferon can make you more likely to get infections or may make existing infections worse. Stay away from people with infectious diseases with the possibility of spreading the disease.
- According to reports, flu-like symptoms have occurred in some patients.
- Efficacy in primary progressive MS has not been conclusively demonstrated, use is not recommended in these individuals.
- Anaphylaxis has been reported as a rare complication of treatment. Other allergic reactions include shortness of breath, oral edema, skin rash, and hives. Discontinue treatment if anaphylaxis or other allergic reactions occur.
- Decreased peripheral blood counts in all cell lines, including rare pancytopenia and thrombocytopenia, have been reported in treated patients.
- Cases of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome, some of which have been fatal, have been reported. These cases have been reported weeks to years after starting interferon-beta products. Discontinue treatment if clinical signs and laboratory findings consistent with TMA occur.
- Seizures have been transiently associated with the use of beta-interferons in clinical trials and post-marketing safety surveillance.
- Post-marketing reports of multiple target organ autoimmune disorders in treated patients included idiopathic thrombocytopenia, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and rare cases of autoimmune hepatitis. Discontinue treatment if treated patients develop a new autoimmune disorder.
- In addition to the laboratory tests that are usually required to monitor patients with multiple sclerosis, complete white blood cell counts, platelet counts, and blood chemistries, including liver function tests, are recommended during treatment. Patients with myelosuppression may require closer monitoring of complete blood cell counts, with differential and platelet counts.
- Thyroid function should be monitored periodically. If patients have or develop symptoms of thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism), thyroid function tests should be performed according to standard medical practice.
Contraindications for interferon beta 1
- Hypersensitivity to beta interferons, albumin (for formulations containing albumin)
- pregnant women
- Specific medical records (such as liver, heart, thyroid dysfunction, etc.)
Depression and mental disorders with interferon beta 1 drug
- Patients treated with this drug and their caregivers should be advised to immediately report any symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, or psychosis to their prescribing physician. Treatment should be discontinued if the patient develops depression or other severe psychiatric symptoms.
- Postmarketing reports of depression, suicidal ideation, or the development of new or worsening psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, have been reported, and for some of these patients, depressive symptoms improved after discontinuation of treatment.
Liver damage of interferon beta 1 drug
- Severe liver injury, including some cases of liver failure requiring liver transplantation, has been reported rarely. Symptoms of liver dysfunction started from one to six months after starting treatment. If jaundice or other signs of liver dysfunction appear, treatment should be discontinued immediately due to the possibility of rapid progression to liver failure.
- Asymptomatic elevation of liver transaminases (especially SGPT) is common in interferon therapy. Treatment should be initiated with caution in patients with active liver disease, alcohol abuse, elevated serum SGPT (more than 2.5 times ULN), or a history of significant liver disease.
- Also, the potential risk of use in combination with known hepatotoxic products should be considered before prescribing or when adding new agents to the regimen of patients already receiving this therapy.
Interferon beta 1 drug congestive heart failure
- Patients with pre-existing congestive heart failure should be monitored for worsening of their heart condition during the initiation and continuation of treatment.
- While beta interferons have no known direct cardiotoxicity, cases of congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure have been reported during the postmarketing period in patients not predisposed to these events and other causes. Not specified.
The reaction of the injection site of interferon beta 1 ampoule
- Injection site reactions, including injection site necrosis, can occur with the use of beta interferon products. In controlled clinical trials, injection site reactions (eg, injection site pain, bruising, or erythema) have been reported.
- Abscesses, lolitis, and injection site necrosis have been reported in the postmarketing setting with interferon beta drugs.
- Periodically assess the patient’s understanding and use of aseptic self-injection techniques, especially if injection site necrosis has occurred. Whether treatment should be discontinued following a site of necrosis depends on the extent of necrosis.
- For patients who continue treatment after necrosis of the injection site, refrain from prescribing the drug in the affected area until complete recovery. If multiple lesions occur, change the injection site or stop the treatment until recovery.
Side effects of interferon beta 1 (interferon beta 1a)
Injection site reactions, muscle pain, flu-like syndrome, headache, infection, fever, pain, etc. are some of the side effects of interferon beta 1 medicine. Most people have flu-like symptoms such as headache, fatigue, fever, chills, and muscle aches when starting this medication. These symptoms usually last about 1 day after the injection and improve or disappear after several months of continued use.
Some serious side effects of this drug include mental changes (such as new or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, psychosis), feeling too hot or cold, bleeding or bruising easily, pus or skin discoloration at the injection site, joint pain or swelling. , symptoms of kidney problems, symptoms of liver problems, etc.
- Injection site reactions
- Headache, dizziness and pain
- Influenza-like syndrome
- Muscular pain
- nausea
- Infection and fever
- diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Anemia
- Chest pain
Drug interaction of interferon beta 1
Before the doctor prescribes, prepare a list of chemical and herbal medicines (prescription and non-prescription) and show it to the doctor. Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk of dangerous side effects.
According to some reports, cladribine, zidovudine, and cladribine drugs cause drug interactions with this drug. No specific and dangerous interaction has been reported from this drug.
- cladribine (avoid)
- Zidovudine (increasing the effects of drugs by interferon)
- Cladribine (increasing the effects of interferon by drugs)
Use of interferon beta 1 (interferon beta 1a) during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Data from a large population-based cohort study, as well as other studies published over several decades, have not identified an increased risk of major birth defects associated with drug use in early pregnancy. Also, findings regarding the potential risk for low birth weight or miscarriage with the use of interferon-beta drugs in pregnancy have been inconsistent.
In animal studies in pregnant monkeys, administration of interferon-beta during pregnancy resulted in increased abortion rates at doses higher than clinical doses. It should be noted that published articles have described the presence of this drug in human milk at low levels.
The last word of interferon beta 1 drug
Interferon beta-1 is an important tool in achieving recovery for patients with inflammatory and immune diseases. Accurate information about this drug and strict adherence to medical orders can help people to benefit more from the benefits of this drug and have a better quality of life.
However, in addition to the wide applications of the drug introduced in the online pharmacy magazine Positive Green, one should pay close attention to its side effects, precautions and contraindications. Some of the side effects of this drug include injection site reactions, muscle pain, flu-like syndrome, headache, infection, fever, etc.
Source: Medscape